DJ CAMPBELL grabbed a last-minute equaliser to spare Birmingham City from more misery last night.

Carlos Edwards' superb first-half strike looked to have earned Sunderland a deserved win in their push for promotion.

The Trinidad & Tobago star lashed in his third goal for Roy Keane's in-form side from 25 yards in the 28th minute following a £1.5m switch from Luton last month.

But, in front of another low Birmingham crowd of just 20,941, Campbell grabbed an undeserved share of the spoils.

Hundreds of City fans appeared to stay away in protest at recent criticism of the club's supporters by controversial Blues coowner David Sullivan.

And Birmingham's woes looked set to continue until their late lifeline. Sunderland dominated the first half and might have had more than Edwards' opener to show for their superb play.

But Birmingham could have snatched an equaliser when they fought back after the break as Sebastian Larsson and Nicklas Bendtner were both denied.

Sunderland's David Connolly was a real threat early on and was foiled by Brum keeper Colin Doyle in the 12th minute when the Irish shot-stopper made a smart save low to his right. And the former Wigan hitman, who has nine goals this term, went close again just 60 seconds later with a right-foot volley from Carlos Edwards' cross.